Kenya’s 2007 election year presents a new opportunity for its citizens to choose able leaders who are willing to take on the various opportunities and challenges that come with ensuring and accounting for adequate representation of their constituency’s needs.

My Vision for Westlands constituency is centered on adequate public service delivery, an empowered community and economic prosperity. To achieve this, I envision active participation of our youth, more involvement from Kenyans abroad and a well governed Kenya.

Service Delivery:

Westlands constituency currently faces several challenges with regards to service delivery. Quality of education in the free primary school initiative has dropped tremendously, public schools (up to the University level) do not have adequate learning facilities, majority of the constituents either do not have access to basic healthcare or cannot afford it, roads in several residential areas are dilapidated, clean water is still a dream, insecurity a nightmare and the list goes on and on and on. It is unfortunate that with all the CDF money available, basic services are still inaccessible to the bulk of the population.

I envision Westlands Constituency as one of the leading constituencies when it comes to service delivery. I shall work to ensure that taxpayers get the services they pay for, from better education to better healthcare to better infrastructure.

To realize this vision, public education institutions will be equipped with reading materials and computers to the best extent possible, healthcare systems brought closer to the people and infrastructure (roads, market places, telecommunications, water etc) improved.

As service delivery is the primary role of the political leadership, I shall break the culture of the people working for elected leaders and begin one in which elected leaders work for the best interests of the people.

Community Development:

My vision for community development is the creation of opportunities that will empower the community both socially and economically. I shall pay special attention to the slums within the constituency in an effort to ensure that homes and markets are humanitarian and include basic facilities such as toilets, water and adequate pathways.

I shall work with the large Asian community in Westlands in an effort to engage them in building the constituency in which they live and do business in. As stakeholders, this community needs to be included in decision making on matters that affect the constituency. Doing so will help create a more diverse Westlands in which the ultimate winner will be the constituent.

As development of the constituency is pegged on development of the constituents, I envision community centers in each ward and various training programmes provided so as to equip constituents with the life skills needed to earn a living. This initiative will cater to the widespread unemployment problem which in turn will reduce poverty, crime, drugs and disease.

I shall actively develop sports, music and entrepreneurship programs that will be geared towards developing talent as well as lend full support to micro enterprises such as income generating women, youth and welfare group projects.

As the next MP for Westlands, being accessible and having regular meetings with the community will give me a good idea on the priorities of the community’s development.

Economic prosperity:

Given the potential that already exists in the number of organizations doing business in Westlands, I envision the constituency as an economic powerhouse in the East and Central Africa region.

Beginning at the micro-enterprise level, I shall partner with self help groups to develop micro finance programmes that will ensure that they get the opportunities and credit facilities required to turn their hard work and good ideas into a steady income.

Modernization of major markets such as the Kangemi and Westlands markets will be explored in an effort to make them permanent, safer, cleaner and more established. Real economic prosperity can only be realized when wealth is distributed equitably and those living below the poverty line are uplifted. Providing economic opportunities will achieve just that.

In an effort to take Westlands to the next level, I shall play a leading role in positioning the constituency as a destination of choice for global business process outsourcing as well as offshore software development. The result not only being the creation of an innovation center, but also a source of job and wealth creation.

The building of adequate infrastructure, setting up constituency wide centers of excellence, enhancing private / public partnerships, equipping schools with ICT, massive improvements in security as well as offering businesses incentives to locate their premises in Westlands will be some of my priorities that will turn this vision into reality.

The time has come to reduce the cost of doing business in Kenya and giving the less fortunate an opportunity to succeed. We shall start with Westlands.

Youth Agenda:

I strongly believe in developing and strengthening programmes targeted at the youth in order to enhance their economic, educational, social and cultural opportunities, to promote constructive social relations among them and to provide them with connections outside their communities to break the inter-generational cycle of poverty.

Because of my belief, I shall give special priority in the design and implementation of policies that will help alleviate the challenges of long term unemployment and underemployment of our youth.

For every young person, a job offering decent work is an important step in completing the transition to adulthood, a milestone towards independence and self-reliance, a pillar in social development. My vision for the youth in this country therefore focuses on creating income-generating job and/or entrepreneurial opportunities for young people.

I shall work tirelessly with like minded leaders, to ensure that structures are put in place to assist the youth in developing skills needed to enable them to find or create gainful employment.

The message is clear! Our youth should no longer be used by self centered politicians to throw stones and participate in political hooliganism. Their energy, talent and numerical strength should instead be used as the pillars for nation building.

Yesterday’s tomorrow is here today. Ni time yetu (its our time)!

Kenyans in the Diaspora:

Having lived abroad for several years, I have personally seen some of the difficulties Kenyans in the diaspora are faced with in addition to the limited support they get from Kenyan missions abroad.

Being a major contributor to the growth of the Kenyan economy, it is imperative that we give Kenyans in the diaspora an opportunity to actively participate in building the nation.

My vision is to have a formal government department that is dedicated to catering for Kenyans working, studying and/or living abroad. I will also play a leading role to ensure that dual citizenship becomes a reality, Kenyans in the diaspora are allowed to vote in the general election and structures are put in place to create as well as safeguard investment opportunities.

Through good governance, the building of infrastructure and improvement of security, I envision Kenya as an attractive investment destination for her citizens living abroad and subsequently, recipient of brain gain.

National Level:

At the national level¸ my vision is to see Kenya become socially, culturally and economically prosperous. I believe that able, credible and innovative leadership is what will help Kenya achieve this vision. Leadership that will work around the clock to reduce rampant corruption and leadership that will work together across tribal and party lines to achieve the best for Kenya and her citizens.

In parliament, I will rally for good governance, healthcare and education for all, gender equality, a comprehensive youth agenda, a sound development agenda, consumer protection and a nationwide ICT policy.

Service delivery will be at the top of my agenda with a priority for the implementation of a countrywide e-Government system. I shall work tirelessly to table, debate and pass bills that will improve the lives of Kenyans as a whole.

I will lead from the front as new leaders like myself begin a culture of making national decisions based on policy and not pressure.

With my election and that of other like minded parliamentary aspirants, I have no doubt that parliament will have the numbers and goodwill to enable Kenya realize this vision.